Criminal Justice

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 1212: An Act amending the act of November 29, 2006 (P.L.1471, No.165), known as the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act by updating the legal definition of "awaiting testing" for sexual assault evidence. The change clarifies that evidence awaiting testing includes items collected by law enforcement that have not yet undergone DNA or forensic analysis and are part of an ongoing criminal investigation. This definition update directly affects how law enforcement agencies and the Department of Health classify and manage sexual assault evidence in the state. The amendment ensures consistency in terminology used across the existing evidence collection program without altering other operational procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies evidence definitions for sexual assault cases, improving law enforcement procedures and victim evidence handling within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2258: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, providing for trauma-informed screening for human trafficking victimization.

This bill requires juvenile probation officers in Pennsylvania to administer a trauma-informed screening to children involved in delinquency cases to check for human trafficking victimization. The screening is designed to identify whether a child is currently being exploited or is at risk of becoming a victim of sexual servitude. If the screening indicates trafficking involvement or risk, the officer must connect the child with specialized support services for sexually exploited minors. The Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission will work together to develop and implement this screening process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates trauma-informed screening for juvenile trafficking victims, enhancing protection and rehabilitation within juvenile justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2279: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in limitation of time relating to criminal proceedings, further providing for other offenses.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's criminal law by establishing a five-year statute of limitations for prosecuting specific serious offenses. It directly affects prosecutors and defendants by setting a deadline within which these cases must be filed after the alleged crime occurs. The law covers a wide range of crimes including murder-related attempts and conspiracies, violent offenses like kidnapping and robbery, financial crimes such as fraud and bribery, and other serious violations like arson and drug delivery resulting in death. The changes apply to all listed offenses regardless of whether the crime was completed or attempted, ensuring that serious allegations can still be pursued within a defined timeframe.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes statute of limitations for serious crimes, strengthening criminal justice system by ensuring timely prosecution while protecting defendants from stale evidence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2273: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forfeiture of assets, further providing for motion for return of property; and imposing duties on the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

This bill requires law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania to provide seized individuals with specific documents within 14 days, including a copy of the relevant statute and a sample motion for returning property. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will create and publish this sample motion on its public website, though it will not be the only form courts accept. The law applies to state police, local police departments, and campus police, and it takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by requiring seizure documentation and providing property return motions, protecting civil rights and improving transparency in criminal justice asset forfeiture.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 908: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for termination of long-term parole supervision.

This bill allows Pennsylvania courts to end long-term parole supervision for eligible individuals who have been under supervision for at least five consecutive years and are at least 40 years old. The process requires a formal petition filed by either the Department of Corrections or the parolee, which must be reviewed by the sentencing court. Courts must evaluate multiple factors including community safety risks, the individual's conduct history, financial hardship, and efficient use of department resources before deciding whether to terminate supervision. The law applies to all parole cases regardless of when the sentence was originally imposed and ensures victims, prosecutors, and relevant parties receive notice and an opportunity to be heard during the review process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows termination of long-term parole supervision for eligible individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reducing unnecessary supervision costs, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 5, 2026

HR 415: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on trauma-informed care training provided to law enforcement officers under Act 59 of 2020 and issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives.

This is a procedural resolution (not a law) directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study trauma-informed care training for law enforcement officers under Act 59 of 2020. The study must examine training content (including recognizing PTSD in officers and the public), frequency, provider qualifications, state comparisons, county-level participation data, and the training's impact on reducing violent incidents. The Commission must report findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives within one year. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks information to potentially improve training practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects study on trauma-informed law enforcement training to assess impact on reducing violent incidents, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of accountability and improved officer practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2026

HB 2190: An Act amending the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations Act, in collective bargaining impasse, further providing for arbitration; and, in strikes, further providing for prohibited strikes.

HB 2190 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act to change how collective bargaining impasses are resolved for specific public safety and court staff. It requires binding arbitration for disputes involving prison guards, mental hospital staff, peace officers, and court employees when mediation fails - meaning the arbitrator's decision becomes final and enforceable. However, if an arbitration decision would require new legislation (e.g., changing pay rates or benefits), that part would only be advisory, not binding. The bill directly affects these public employee groups whose work is critical to security and court operations. This change streamlines dispute resolution while maintaining legislative oversight for policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires binding arbitration for prison guards and court staff disputes, ensuring stable workforce in corrections and courts - key components of criminal justice system operations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires binding arbitration for public safety/court staff collective bargaining impasses, strengthening resolution process without strikes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 2251: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, further providing for reimbursement of expenses.

HB 2251 amends Pennsylvania law to update reimbursement rules for municipal police training costs. It requires the state commission to reimburse municipalities for 60% of police officers' regular salaries during approved training and for the full cost of tuition, living, and travel expenses. Municipalities must provide documentation and undergo annual audits to qualify for reimbursement. Additionally, the law mandates that at least 25% of state funds for this purpose be allocated to townships and boroughs with populations under 20,000 residents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides state reimbursement for police training costs, directly funding law enforcement capacity within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SR 225: A Resolution condemning the use of deadly force by officers of Federal immigration enforcement in incidents that raise serious constitutional and moral concerns.

Pennsylvania's Senate introduced Resolution 225 condemning federal immigration officers' use of deadly force in incidents raising constitutional concerns, specifically referencing two fatal shootings in Minnesota (Renée Good on January 7, 2026, and Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026). The resolution demands impartial investigations into these incidents, calls for federal agencies to review and reform enforcement practices, and urges Congress to strengthen accountability measures. It affirms that constitutional rights apply to all people regardless of immigration status and emphasizes that public safety requires respect for civil liberties. The resolution serves as a formal statement from Pennsylvania's Senate to federal officials, not a binding law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCondemns excessive force by federal officers, demands investigations, and calls for accountability reforms, promoting law enforcement accountability and civil rights in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCondemns federal immigration enforcement's deadly force, demands investigations and reforms to protect immigrant rights, aligning with anti-enforcement accountability indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1189: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abuse of office, providing for indiscriminate arrest.

SB 1189 amends Pennsylvania law to prohibit law enforcement officers from arresting or detaining individuals based on race, nationality, or immigration status without probable cause for an immigration violation. The bill defines "indiscriminate arrest" as using these factors to make arrests without a warrant, or to meet a quota, and makes such actions a misdemeanor of the first degree. This applies to all law enforcement officers, including federal officials and state peace officers, as defined in existing law. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discriminatory arrests by law enforcement, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights under criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from arresting/detaining based on immigration status without probable cause, protecting immigrant rights from discriminatory enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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